Michael Finewax

The Week Ahead

Hockey Day in Canada

The Flyers are home for all three games this week. Daniel Briere’s fantasy stock could skyrocket as he has been practicing on the top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Do not give up on Ilya Bryzgalov despite his 2-4 start. His peripherals are terrific as he has a 2.19 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Scott Hartnell’s presence on the power play is being missed during his absence as the Flyers are 23rd in the early going in power play efficiency after finishing sixth in the NHL last year while leading with 66 goals. Zac Rinaldo returned after missing four games with a laceration of his leg. He has only two penalty minutes in three games but look for a lot more from the enforcer.

PHOENIX

Games this week

vs. Minnesota, vs. Chicago, @ San Jose

Notes

The Coyotes game against Chicago should be an interesting one as Raffi Torres finished his 21 game suspension for his hit on Marian Hossa. This will be the first time the two sides meet since Torres was eligible to return and we shall see if a) he dresses and b) if the Blackhawks try and exact revenge. Mike Smith is expected to be back in net February 1 after missing four games with a lower body injury. Radim Vrbata has seven points in seven games to lead the Coyotes. Matthew Lombardi is out of action for at least a month after suffering an upper body injury.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

@ New York Islanders, vs. Washington, @ New Jersey, vs. New Jersey

Notes

The Penguins play three games in four nights so look for off-season free agent acquisition Tomas Vokoun to play at least once in place of Marc-Andre Fleury. Vokoun is coming off a shutout against the Rangers Thursday and has out-played Fleury thus far in the early going. Matt Niskanen will be out two-four weeks with an ankle injury. Simon Despres took his spot on the top defensive pairing alongside Kris Letang and picked up a goal and an assist Thursday. He is worth looking at short term. Zach Boychuk was picked up off waivers from Carolina and he could find himself as a top-six forward with the powerful Penguins.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, vs. Detroit, vs. Anaheim

Notes

The Blues are rested Saturday when they host Anaheim with the Ducks playing in Dallas on Saturday. David Backes scored his first goal of the season Thursday and now has five points in seven games. Wade Redden has been a nice surprise and a veteran presence for the Blues. He missed Thursday’s game with the flu but should be back in the Blues lineup. Alex Pietrangelo is tied for the NHL lead among defensemen with teammate Kevin Shattenkirk and three others with eight points. Chris Stewart has four goals and 12 penalty minutes in seven games.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Anaheim, vs. Chicago, vs. Phoenix

Notes

The Sharks will be tired Tuesday when they take on the Blackhawks after playing in Anaheim Monday. They are off to the best start in their history, winning their first seven games and yet are only one point up on Chicago. Brent Burns (lower body) has yet to play this season but finally practiced with the team on Tuesday. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau had their six game point streak end Thursday. Jason Demers is ready to return after fracturing his wrist while playing in Europe. Dan Boyle returned to action on Thursday after missing Tuesday’s game with the flu and scored the shootout winner.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, @ New Jersey, @ Boston, @ New York Rangers

Notes

The Lightning are on the road for all four games this week and play three in four nights. Expect to see Mathieu Garon to play once with Anders Lindback playing the other three, The Lightning are tired Sunday when they take on the Rangers after playing the Bruins Saturday. Cory Conacher has been the surprise rookie in the early going. The undrafted winger has three goals and nine points in only six games and is playing on the top line, alongside Steve Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Anders Lindback is 4-1-0 this season with a 2.80 GAA and has stopped 149 of 163 shots sent his way. Victor Hedman has four points in his last three games and is plus-eight on the season.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Carolina, @ Washington, @ Winnipeg, @ Montreal

Notes

The Maple Leafs play four games including three in four nights so look for James Reimer and Ben Scrivens to split the net. Toronto will be tired Tuesday in Washington after hosting the Hurricanes Monday. Matt Frattin has been outstanding since returning from the AHL Marlies as he has four goals and six points in four games including two game winners. Jake Gardiner was sent to the minors in order to get into playing shape after he had been out six weeks with a concussion. Jay McClement has moved up to the second line alongside Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin as James van Riemsdyk jumped to the top unit with the injury to Joffrey Lupul.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

@ Edmonton, @ Minnesota, vs. Calgary

Notes

Zack Kassian has five goals in six games and is now on the top line with the Sedin twins. Roberto Luongo is back as the number one goalie, at least temporarily, as coach Alain Vigneault is going with the hot hand. Cory Schneider awaits patiently on the bench. Third string goalie Eddie Lack is out six months after hip surgery so dealing Luongo will now require a goalie back or picking one up from among the free agents. Christopher Higgins, like so many players who did not play during the lockout, has struggled, with only one assist in seven games. Kevin Bieksa is pointless through seven games but does have 18 penalty minutes.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. Toronto. @ Pittsburgh, vs. Florida

Notes

The Capitals are rested Tuesday when they host Toronto with the Maple Leafs taking on Carolina Monday. Washington is a prime example of why the shortened training camp has hurt. They are one of four teams with a new head coach, Adam Oates, who did not have enough time to put his new system, and the Capitals are a league-worst 1-5-1. Alex Ovechkin has only three points in seven games but does have two goals in his last three. Brooks Laich (groin) practiced for the first time on Thursday but there is still no timetable for his return. Nicklas Backstrom has been moved off the Alex Ovechkin line as he is centering Wojtek Wolski and Troy Brouwer. Of course, this could change at any time.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

vs. Florida, vs. Toronto, @ Ottawa

Notes

Blake Wheeler has three goals and eight points in seven gamesand is tied with Tobias Enstrom and Evander Kane for the team lead in points. Dustin Byfuglien missed Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury and should be considered day-to-day. Mark Scheifele has been a healthy scratch for the last four games as the Jets have to decide whether or not to send him back to junior hockey. Ondrej Pavelec is struggling as he has given up nine goals on 59 shots in his last two games. Look for Al Montoya to get a shot in net this week. Alexander Burmistrov has only one goal in seven games and could benefit from a trip to the minors to get his confidence back.

It’s Hockey Day in Canada on Saturday and all seven Canadian teams are in action as Winnipeg travels to Ottawa, Toronto plays in Montreal and Calgary hosts the Canucks in the late game. Edmonton is in Detroit as I guess the Red Wings have been granted Canadian status for the day.

Anaheim plays four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Viktor Fasth to play once in place of Jonas Hiller. The Ducks are tired this week when they take on the Blues Saturday after playing in Dallas Friday. Daniel Winnik has five goals in seven games and was rewarded by moving from the third line to the top unit alongside Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks recalled Emerson Etem and Sami Vatanen from the minors and sent Peter Holland down. Saku Koivu has seven points and is a plus-seven in seven games. Hiller has struggled in the early going with a 2-1-1 record, a 3.43 GAA and a .868 save percentage.

BOSTON

Games this week

@ Montreal, vs. Tampa Bay @ Buffalo

Notes

The line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton has been the Bruins’ best of late. Tyler Seguin has a goal and three points in six games but is plus-four. Tuukka Rask was off to a great start with a 4-0-1 record, a 1.74 GAA and a .932 save percentage, making Boston fans forget all about Tim Thomas, but got beat up against the Sabres Thursday giving up six goals on 31 shots in a 7-4 loss. No surprise in that Boston has decided to keep Dougie Hamilton past the five game mark, burning a season before he is entitled to go to free agency. Dennis Seidenberg returned to action after missing a couple of games with a lower body injury.

BUFFALO

Games this week

@ Ottawa, vs. Montreal, @ New York Islanders, vs. Boston

Notes

The Sabres play three games in four nights so expect to see Jhonas Enroth between the pipes once in place of Ryan Miller. Buffalo will be rested on Thursday when they face Montreal who host Boston Wednesday. The Sabres are keeping Mikhail Grigorenko and he celebrated by potting his first NHL goal on Tuesday against Toronto. Thomas Vanek is up to a tremendous start with six goals and 15 points in six games. Ville Leino has yet to play because of a hip injury but coach Lindy Ruff said that he will not require surgery. Patrick Kaleta is out with a neck injury.

CALGARY

Games this week

@ Detroit, @ Columbus, @ Vancouver

Notes

Sven Baertschi, Calgary’s top prospect, is week-to-week with a hip flexor injury. The Flames want him to work on adding muscle to his frame while he is out. Roman Cervenka is having trouble staying healthy, missing the first three games with blood clots and almost missing the Jan. 31 game as he ran into Blake Comeau during practice. After this week the Flames will have played only nine games, the least in the NHL so the extra games will come in handy if you are able to trade for a Calgary player. Dennis Wideman has been terrific quarterbacking the power play. It’s nice to see Jiri Hudler back playing after the death of his father.

NotesThe Blackhawks finally end the toughest part of their schedule as they end a string of 10 road games in their first 12 contests this season. They get a break this week as they are the rested team in two games; first against San Jose Tuesday after the Sharks are on the road to face Anaheim Monday, and then Sunday in Nashville as the Predators are in Minnesota Saturday. Corey Crawford has put his sophomore slump behind him and is off to a great start with a 5-0-1 record, a 1.79 GAA and a .931 save percentage. The Blackhawks penalty kill has gone through a tremendous transformation as they are now first in the NHL, giving up one goal in 27 chances after finishing 27th overall last season.

COLORADO

Games this week

vs. Dallas, vs. Anaheim, vs. Edmonton

Notes

The Avalanche were reeling to start the season as they had scored only one goal in three games before Thursday’s match against Calgary in which they put in six. Paul Stastny was off to a horrible start with one assist and a minus-seven rating in seven games before scoring twice in the third period Thursday. Gabriel Landeskog is out of action after a huge hit on Saturday by Brad Stuart flattened him. He has a head and a leg injury and there is currently no timetable for his return. The Avs recalled Michael Sgarbossa from the Lake Erie Monsters where he had 36 points in 38 games after leading the OHL in scoring last season. Still no word on a contract agreement or even if the two sides are talking with restricted free agent Ryan O'Reilly who is rehabbing after getting injured in a KHL game.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

vs. Los Angeles, vs. Calgary, vs. Edmonton

Notes

The Blue Jackets are in the middle of a six game home stand. Columbus will be rested when they take on the Oilers Sunday as Edmonton are in Detroit Saturday. A lot of poolies thought that Cam Atkinson would have a break out year but he is now out two-three weeks with a high-ankle sprain. Steve Mason played well this week despite giving up three goals on 26 shots Tuesday. They recalled Tim Erixon and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault from the minors. Audy-Marchessault was terrific in the minors with 45 points in 42 games and the Blue Jackets are hoping the rookie can play even close to his AHL performance in the NHL. Ryan Johansen has only two assists in seven games but the Blue Jackets are pleased with his game.

DALLAS

Games this week

@ Colorado, @ Edmonton, vs. Anaheim

Notes

Derek Roy is hoping to return to action this week after being out with a groin injury. The Stars recalled their first round pick in 2011 Jamie Oleksiak and are hoping the six-foot, seven-inch 254 pound blueliner is ready to stick. They are currently playing him with Alex Goligoski and the added size on the back end is something that has definitely been lacking with Dallas. They finally signed their top forward Jamie Benn to a contract but Benn may need a few games to get up to speed. Brenden Morrow was a first or second round pick in fantasy pools only a few short years ago, but is now seeing fourth line time and playing less than 10 minutes per game. He is still able to contribute to the Stars but his fantasy value is becoming negligible.

DETROIT

Games this week

vs. Calgary, @ St. Louis, vs. Edmonton, vs. Los Angeles

Notes

The Red Wings are playing four times this week and play three games in four nights. Look for Jonas Gustavsson to return to action this week and play once in place of Jimmy Howard. They will be tired Sunday when they host the Kings after hosting the Oilers the day before. Damien Brunner is on a four-game point scoring streak and has three goals and an assist in six games. Johan Franzen has taken over the retired Tomas Holmstrom’s spot in front of the net during the power play but wants his teammates, especially Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to shoot more, so he can tip the puck or garner the rebound. Jordin Tootoo has 25 penalty minutes in only six games.

EDMONTON

Games this week

vs. Vancouver, vs. Dallas, @ Detroit, @ Columbus

Notes

The Oilers are tired Sunday when they are in Columbus after playing in Detroit Saturday. Nikolai Khabibulin is back after missing the beginning of the season with a hip injury. Look for him to see action this week in at least one game with number one goalie Devan Dubnyk getting the remainder of the starts. Rookie Nail Yakupov is off to a hot start with four goals in his first seven games. Magnus Paajarvi was sent to the minors once again as the 10th overall pick in the 2009 Draft is having trouble cracking the Edmonton lineup. He is talented offensively, but so are the Oilers and that could hurt his chances in Edmonton. Justin Schultz has a chance to do something no one else has ever done, winning the rookie of the year in the AHL and the NHL in the same year.

FLORIDA

Games this week

@ Winnipeg, @ Philadelphia, @ Washington

Notes

The Panthers end a four game road trip when they play the Capitals. Stephen Weiss should return to action this week as he has been out with a groin injury. Put him back in your lineup if you normally would. Marcel Goc played his first game of the season Thursday after recovering from an ankle injury and was slotted in on the top line between Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg, although he should lose that spot to Weiss upon his return. Peter Mueller, who has goals in three straight games and has 21 shots on goal in seven games, is worth picking up in deeper leagues. Fleischmann has two goals and seven points in seven games but is minus-six.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

@ Columbus @ Nashville, @ Detroit

Notes

The Kings are rested Sunday when in Detroit as the Red Wings take on Edmonton Saturday. After a shaky season opener, Jonathan Quick has given up only 10 goals in his five games, stopping 130 shots. The Kings once again this season are having trouble finding the back of the net as they are tied with the Predators for last overall in the NHL with 12 goals although to be fair, Nashville has played one more game. The power play is the worst in the NHL with only two goals in 33 opportunities. They are struggling so much that they have only 24 shots on goal with the man advantage. Willie Mitchell has had a setback in his recovery from a knee injury from overtraining. No word on when he will return.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

@ Phoenix, vs. Vancouver, vs. Nashville

Notes

The Wild top line of Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley and Zach Parise is arguably the top line in the NHL in the early going along with the San Jose and New York Rangers first unit. Jonas Brodin, the Wild’s first pick and 10th overall in 2010, made his NHL debut and has now been paired with Ryan Suter on the blueline. He has two assists in four games and Minnesota is quite high on the youngster who returned from a broken clavicle. Parise is leading the team in scoring with five goals and nine points in seven games. Tom Gilbert has been effective from the point with two goals and six points. He should be looked at as he is owned in only six percent of all Yahoo! pools.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Boston, @ Buffalo, vs. Toronto

Notes

The Canadiens are the tired team Thursday in Buffalo after hosting Boston the night before. They play three games in four nights so look for Carey Price to get a game off this week with Peter Budaj getting the start. The Canadiens finally signed P.K. Subban to a two-year deal and he will be back in the lineup this week. He should take some power play time away from Raphael Diaz, who has been deserving of all the time he has received as he has eight assists in only six games. Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk were told that they were remaining with the Habs and celebrated with a goal and an assist and two assists respectively against the Jets Tuesday.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

@ St. Louis, vs. Los Angeles, @ Minnesota, vs. Chicago

Notes

The Predators play three games in four nights so expect to see Chris Mason in goal once to give Pekka Rinne a rest. The Predators will be tired Sunday when they are home to Chicago after playing in Minnesota Saturday. Patric Hornqvist is out of the lineup for the next two-three weeks with a sprained knee. Paul Gaustad has the first shot at taking over his spot on the first power play, playing in front of the net. The Predators will miss Hornqvist, their best goal scorer, as they have scored only 12 times in seven games. Shea Weber is pointless through seven games with a minus-one rating and 11 penalty minutes, but has not had a penalty in his last four games. Be patient as Weber is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, both on the ice and in fantasy hockey.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Devils play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Johan Hedberg to play once in place of Martin Brodeur. They go back-to-back with Pittsburgh and this will be the third time in the last eight days that both sides will have met so expect tempers to flare as David Clarkson and Krys Barch should add to their penalty minute totals. Jacob Josefson has moved to the top line with Ilya Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac. Martin Brodeur has yet to lose in regulation with a 3-0-2 record. Stefan Matteau has played five games but the Devils have yet to send the rookie back to junior hockey although they did make him a healthy scratch on Thursday to give them more time to make their decision. Adam Henrique played for the first time this season on Thursday as he had been out with a thumb injury and scored.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

vs. Pittsburgh, @ New York Rangers, vs. Buffalo

Notes

John Tavares is off to a hot start with four goals and 11 points in just seven games. He is one of the top offensive stars in the league. Rick DiPietro is the definite backup on Long Island has he has played only once with Evgeni Nabokov playing six times between the pipes thus far. Keith Aucoin has been a pleasant surprise since being selected off waivers from Toronto at the start of the season. He has four goals and an assist in seven games. Jesse Joensuu is out five-seven weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery. Joshua Bailey who is under suspension for hurting his knee while playing in Europe, should start practicing any day.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

@ New Jersey, vs. New York Islanders, @ Tampa Bay

Notes

The Rangers are rested on Saturday when they visit Tampa Bay who are in Boston Saturday. Ryan Callahan is out 10-14 days with a shoulder subluxation and Taylor Pyatt should grab his spot on the second line with Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. Chris Kreider is out with bone chips in his ankle but has resumed light skating. Stu Bickel leads the Rangers with 24 penalty minutes in six games but has stayed out of the penalty box in his last two contests. The Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Marian Gaborik line has eight of the Rangers 16 goals and are one of the top lines in the NHL.

OTTAWA

Games this week

vs. Buffalo, vs. Carolina, vs. Winnipeg

Notes

The Senators will be severely hurt with Jason Spezza out of the lineup for at least two months after undergoing back surgery Friday but it will give Kyle Turris the chance he has always wanted: to be the first line center. Turris is tied for the team lead with Eerik Karlsson with seven points. Mika Zibanejad has a goal and an assist in two games. He will also benefit from the loss of Spezza and should be the second line center. Craig Anderson has been absolutely sensational with a 5-0-1 record to go with an eye-popping 0.98 GAA and a .967 save percentage. If you are looking for penalty minutes then look at Mark Borowiecki who has 18 minutes in just four games.

PHILADELPHIA

Games this week

vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Florida, vs. Carolina

Notes

The Flyers are home for all three games this week. Daniel Briere’s fantasy stock could skyrocket as he has been practicing on the top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Do not give up on Ilya Bryzgalov despite his 2-4 start. His peripherals are terrific as he has a 2.19 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Scott Hartnell’s presence on the power play is being missed during his absence as the Flyers are 23rd in the early going in power play efficiency after finishing sixth in the NHL last year while leading with 66 goals. Zac Rinaldo returned after missing four games with a laceration of his leg. He has only two penalty minutes in three games but look for a lot more from the enforcer.

PHOENIX

Games this week

vs. Minnesota, vs. Chicago, @ San Jose

Notes

The Coyotes game against Chicago should be an interesting one as Raffi Torres finished his 21 game suspension for his hit on Marian Hossa. This will be the first time the two sides meet since Torres was eligible to return and we shall see if a) he dresses and b) if the Blackhawks try and exact revenge. Mike Smith is expected to be back in net February 1 after missing four games with a lower body injury. Radim Vrbata has seven points in seven games to lead the Coyotes. Matthew Lombardi is out of action for at least a month after suffering an upper body injury.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

@ New York Islanders, vs. Washington, @ New Jersey, vs. New Jersey

Notes

The Penguins play three games in four nights so look for off-season free agent acquisition Tomas Vokoun to play at least once in place of Marc-Andre Fleury. Vokoun is coming off a shutout against the Rangers Thursday and has out-played Fleury thus far in the early going. Matt Niskanen will be out two-four weeks with an ankle injury. Simon Despres took his spot on the top defensive pairing alongside Kris Letang and picked up a goal and an assist Thursday. He is worth looking at short term. Zach Boychuk was picked up off waivers from Carolina and he could find himself as a top-six forward with the powerful Penguins.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, vs. Detroit, vs. Anaheim

Notes

The Blues are rested Saturday when they host Anaheim with the Ducks playing in Dallas on Saturday. David Backes scored his first goal of the season Thursday and now has five points in seven games. Wade Redden has been a nice surprise and a veteran presence for the Blues. He missed Thursday’s game with the flu but should be back in the Blues lineup. Alex Pietrangelo is tied for the NHL lead among defensemen with teammate Kevin Shattenkirk and three others with eight points. Chris Stewart has four goals and 12 penalty minutes in seven games.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Anaheim, vs. Chicago, vs. Phoenix

Notes

The Sharks will be tired Tuesday when they take on the Blackhawks after playing in Anaheim Monday. They are off to the best start in their history, winning their first seven games and yet are only one point up on Chicago. Brent Burns (lower body) has yet to play this season but finally practiced with the team on Tuesday. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau had their six game point streak end Thursday. Jason Demers is ready to return after fracturing his wrist while playing in Europe. Dan Boyle returned to action on Thursday after missing Tuesday’s game with the flu and scored the shootout winner.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, @ New Jersey, @ Boston, @ New York Rangers

Notes

The Lightning are on the road for all four games this week and play three in four nights. Expect to see Mathieu Garon to play once with Anders Lindback playing the other three, The Lightning are tired Sunday when they take on the Rangers after playing the Bruins Saturday. Cory Conacher has been the surprise rookie in the early going. The undrafted winger has three goals and nine points in only six games and is playing on the top line, alongside Steve Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Anders Lindback is 4-1-0 this season with a 2.80 GAA and has stopped 149 of 163 shots sent his way. Victor Hedman has four points in his last three games and is plus-eight on the season.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Carolina, @ Washington, @ Winnipeg, @ Montreal

Notes

The Maple Leafs play four games including three in four nights so look for James Reimer and Ben Scrivens to split the net. Toronto will be tired Tuesday in Washington after hosting the Hurricanes Monday. Matt Frattin has been outstanding since returning from the AHL Marlies as he has four goals and six points in four games including two game winners. Jake Gardiner was sent to the minors in order to get into playing shape after he had been out six weeks with a concussion. Jay McClement has moved up to the second line alongside Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin as James van Riemsdyk jumped to the top unit with the injury to Joffrey Lupul.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

@ Edmonton, @ Minnesota, vs. Calgary

Notes

Zack Kassian has five goals in six games and is now on the top line with the Sedin twins. Roberto Luongo is back as the number one goalie, at least temporarily, as coach Alain Vigneault is going with the hot hand. Cory Schneider awaits patiently on the bench. Third string goalie Eddie Lack is out six months after hip surgery so dealing Luongo will now require a goalie back or picking one up from among the free agents. Christopher Higgins, like so many players who did not play during the lockout, has struggled, with only one assist in seven games. Kevin Bieksa is pointless through seven games but does have 18 penalty minutes.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. Toronto. @ Pittsburgh, vs. Florida

Notes

The Capitals are rested Tuesday when they host Toronto with the Maple Leafs taking on Carolina Monday. Washington is a prime example of why the shortened training camp has hurt. They are one of four teams with a new head coach, Adam Oates, who did not have enough time to put his new system, and the Capitals are a league-worst 1-5-1. Alex Ovechkin has only three points in seven games but does have two goals in his last three. Brooks Laich (groin) practiced for the first time on Thursday but there is still no timetable for his return. Nicklas Backstrom has been moved off the Alex Ovechkin line as he is centering Wojtek Wolski and Troy Brouwer. Of course, this could change at any time.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

vs. Florida, vs. Toronto, @ Ottawa

Notes

Blake Wheeler has three goals and eight points in seven gamesand is tied with Tobias Enstrom and Evander Kane for the team lead in points. Dustin Byfuglien missed Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury and should be considered day-to-day. Mark Scheifele has been a healthy scratch for the last four games as the Jets have to decide whether or not to send him back to junior hockey. Ondrej Pavelec is struggling as he has given up nine goals on 59 shots in his last two games. Look for Al Montoya to get a shot in net this week. Alexander Burmistrov has only one goal in seven games and could benefit from a trip to the minors to get his confidence back.